Melody Journey


Melody Journey is an original Chinese reality show jointly produced by Jiangsu TV and iQiyi. The first episode aired simultaneously on both platforms on August 18, 2024. The program aims to match singers with songwriters in order to promote and showcase original songs.
On April 23, 2025, iQiyi announced that the second season has been ordered. The show's English title was changed to Crush of Music for the second season.

Show format

Basic premise

Each episode features 5-8 original songs by songwriters, who perform their demos to a group of singers. Singers, each with six CDs as tokens, then visit songwriters' rooms during the conversation stage to express their interest in the songs via giving the songwriters CDs. Singers may give more than one CD to indicate higher level of interest. Based on the CDs received, songwriters select the singer who best suits their song.
After matching, the singer works with the songwriter to finalize the song before the performance stage at MGM Cotai.

"Burst light" option

Singers can claim a song via the "burst light" option, adapted from the dating show If You Are the One. When the "burst light" time window is announced, singers race to the "burst light" podium and press the numbered light corresponding to the songwriter's room of the song they wish to claim. Each singer may only use this option once and each song can only be claimed once.
During the performance stage, both the matched version and the "burst light" version of the song are performed. In season 1, the audience votes between the two to determine if the "burst light" version has successfully challenged the matched version. If successful, both versions will be released on QQ Music and KuGou Music at the same time. If unsuccessful, the "burst light" version will be released 24 hours after the matched version. In season 2, the same rules apply except instead of the audience votes, the "burst light" version will be unlocked once it reach 100,000 music score on QQ Music and KuGou Music.
In season 1, variations of the "Burst light" option appeared in the following episodes:
  • Episodes 3, 7, 9: Each singer may only use this option once and only two songs can be claimed.
  • Episode 4: Up to four songs can be claimed, two during the demo stage and two during the regular time window.
  • Episodes 5-6: Each singer only has one "burst light" chance in these episodes.
  • Episodes 8: No "burst light" option available.
  • Episodes 10: Only one "burst light" option available.
As of season 2 episode 6, the show has consistently followed the default rule for the "Burst light" option.

Possible outcome variations

Because of the "burst light option," there are several different possible outcomes for a song:
  • Song is matched to a singer with no "burst light" claim; one performance stage.
  • Song is matched to a singer with "burst light" claim by another singer; two performance stages, audience votes.
  • Song is matched to a singer and claimed by same singer via "burst light"; one performance stage, no audience votes.
  • Song is not matched to a singer and is only claimed via "burst light"; one performance stage, no audience votes.
  • Song is not matched to a singer and is not claimed via "burst light"; no performance stage, considered a "passed" song.

Song with most potential

Each episode, Jiangsu TV's AIGC determines the song with the most potential based on current trends, listeners demographic, and genre of music.

Advantage/disadvantage cards

Beginning in season 2, singers play mini games where the winners gain advantage cards and loser receive disadvantage cards that activate during the conversation stage. Advantages include limiting two singers movement during the conversation phase by handcuffing them together, learning the songwriters' ideal match for their songs, and using the "burst light" at any time. Disadvantages include remaining silent for the first 15 minutes during the conversation stage, having fewer number of CDs to give to the songwriters, and having to roll the correct room number on a die before entering the songwriter's room.

Cast

Season 1

;Main
;Recurring
;Guest

Season 2

;Main
;Recurring
;Guest
  • Chen Zhuoxuan
  • Liu Duan Duan
  • Robby Huang
  • R.E.D
  • Jiang Dunhao
  • Yao Xiaotang
  • Essay Wang
  • Hou Minghao
  • Xiao Aqi
  • Bi Xiaoxin
  • Chen Xukan
  • Eric
  • Murphy Band
  • Yang Moyi
  • Dong Jiahong
  • Qiao Juncheng
  • Wang Zi
  • KAZE Zhan Yixuan
  • Chen Guanyu

Episodes

Season 1

Songs are listed in order of the room number each songwriter was in. For the End-of-Season Festival, which was a celebration of the season with collaborative performances of standout songs from various episodes, songs are listed in order of appearance.

Season 2

Songs are listed in order of the room number each songwriter was in. For the End-of-Season Festival, which was a celebration of the season with collaborative performances of standout songs from various episodes, songs are listed in order of appearance.

QQ Music Heatscore

Season 1


Season 2


Cumulative